Alcohol Production

US Appeals Court Strikes Down 158-Year-Old Home Distilling Ban

A significant legal development has unfolded in the United States, with a US appeals court declaring a 158-year-old ban on home distilling unconstitutional. This landmark decision, which has generated considerable buzz and excitement, effectively overturns a prohibition that has been in place for well over a century, potentially ushering in a new era for home beverage enthusiasts. The ruling suggests that the long-held restriction was, in fact, a misinterpretation of federal law, specifically the 1862 law that focused on taxing spirits rather than outright prohibiting their private production.

For generations, the idea of distilling spirits at home has been shrouded in legality and often associated with illicit “moonshining.”… Continue reading

Belgian man whose body makes its own alcohol cleared of drunk-driving

It’s a bizarre and fascinating reality that there are people out there whose bodies can naturally produce alcohol. The recent case of a Belgian man with Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS) sheds light on a medical condition that seems like something out of a science fiction movie. When someone with ABS consumes carbohydrates, the ingested carbohydrates can ferment into alcohol within their body, leading to symptoms that mimic alcohol intoxication such as slurred speech, stumbling, and dizziness. It’s a condition that can easily be misunderstood, leading to misdiagnosis and judgment from others.

Imagine living in a time where this condition hadn’t been diagnosed.… Continue reading